Friday, February 18, 2011

Hey All!Thank you, thank you, thank you...to Medgadget, to Epocrates, and to Lenovo, for uniting our community by offering a glimpse of the numerous, amazing medical blogs "out there" through your annual contest. Like last year, my eyes are a little brighter to such infinite talent in the medical writing world. Thank you for your energy brought to this endeavor. To my fellow nominees and winners, my heartiest congratulations on your recognition. Well-deserved and well-placed, each and every one of you. To my fellow nominees and finalists in the Best Literary category, it is truly my honor and pleasure to be listed beside each of you. A reward in and of itself. Thank you for your passionate words and eloquent insights. Finally, to my readers--my amazing, faithful, insightful, intelligent, and devoted readers--I thank you always for your support, for embracing my words, and for making this such a thrilling personal experience. Your friendships and kindnesses outweigh any awards or votes I may ever receive. Thank you...

There are times when I simply cannot believe that I have been blogging for over a year. November, 2009, in fact, was the official start of this endeavor and now, with the blink of an eye, we sit in the year 2011 with anticipation for another spring and summer to roll around.

When I had first started out, I was diligent and adamant about posting three stories a week, aiming for Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Although it was extremely hard work and, at times, exhausting, the rewards were worth it. I remember being in Hilton Head, last March, and staying up until 3 am to finish a post for that Wednesday. Of course, the next day I was a mess on the tennis courts, but I reasoned it was a small price to pay.

As some of you may have noticed, then, I've slacked off a bit since those days of three posts a week. It was late fall/early winter when I finally was able to breath out and not carry around too much guilt if I didn't get several postings done in one week. Sure, I think about writing a story here and a story there, but it was also nice to focus a little more on work, on family, and, especially, on my kids. Something had to give and, unfortunately, it was my blogging.

That said, I am going to try harder to pick up the pace again. Some weeks may entail only one posting, some weeks two. I think the days of three postings a week, though, may be behind us. I thank you, though, for sticking this out with me. The only reason I am still going, of course, is because you, the reader, have been so committed. For that, I thank you.

Finally, I have been asked repeatedly over the past year if there are any posts that are my absolute favorites. It's a question that I can't answer. I view my posts, my stories, as works of literature (in a feeble sort of way), and I don't know if I can pick out a batch of favorites. I do know that the majority of my stories focus on compassion and kindness and those little, obscure moments of humanity that many might miss. When I finish another posting, if I am smiling, then I know I have done some good.

Intrigued by the question, though, I did review my library of postings and was able to pull out several that really hit home with me. And my readers. If you are a new reader to my blog, this might be a great way to catch up on some of my perspective. If you are a tried and true steady reader, these old stories might be a fun read (again). I thank you for visiting some of my older works. So, onward...

How's that for a start? Looking at the list myself, I keep wanting to add to it...it's hard for me to pick one "baby" over another. Some of the funnies, even, have gotten me into trouble. Can you do me a favor, though? I would love to hear from you--to know what previous postings or stories may have hit home with you, hit that raw nerve or made you smile or burst out laughing. Even from ones I haven't mentioned.

Again, big thanks and kudos for all of your support over the past year. I am a lucky and fortunate guy. Happy (and sad) reading...and have a great weekend. See you next week...

Congrats Jim!I have been reading your blog for about a year and half. I don't think that I have ever commented though. Time for a change. I find all of the posts very thought provoking and so uplifting. One such post was about the brother who saved his little brother from a fire-cracker. I teared up many times. Your blog is great because there is compassion, tough love, and just good old fashioned love and most of all your faith (religous) that pours from your writings. To pick one or two would be impossible because of the emotions that come pouring out of the reader. No wonder there is a list. Great job and Thank you for sharing. The posts are so powerful that more than once I thought you should share them in a book.

I remember when blogs were MWF. Not going to lie, that's how I told the days of the week that Christmas break.

In general, I rarely reread anything. Life's too short and there's too much new stuff to read... but more than once I have found myself scrolling through the archives to reread posts that have touched me in one way or another. Of course, I can't think of any off of the top of my head. But next time I'm creeping on an old post, I'll make a new comment.

Around the beginning to 2011 I looked back at my posts for 2010 and tried to pick a few favorites. Well, a few turned into a lot, and I finally decided that the "My Collection of Favorites" was just going to have to stay as a draft because I like all of them... Good for you for being able to narrow it down!

The Damaged Eyes of Alcoholism really hit home for me. I didn't have near the struggles your patient did but your story showed me the direction I could have gone. I go back to that story occasionally on a bad day and remember, I can fail at a million things in a day but if I'm sober at that end of the day the day was not a failure.

It doesn't matter how often you write or not, I will always read your posts. I've pretty much stopped blogging, I just found that after 5 years I ran out of things to write about. You on the other hand always have lots to say. The stories that touched me the most are the ones about the elderly...ciao

Double Butt is number one~! Also, the woman who talked to you in the variety store and her daughter needed a psych eval prev. night— totally weird, but I bet happens a lot?!

Congrats on your nomination! Well-deserved. Glad you're taking family first! Three a week is a lot, maybe one, or one every other week. Children are only children until they're adults, and then they're not children anymore, but having their own...

Oh, no! Just when I thought I had the vision out of my mind, you point us yet again to DOUBLE CRACK! Arghhhh! LOL No, I won't be reading that one again, but thanks for posting these. I may have missed some along the way and it'll be nice to go back and take a look.

Woto Jim! Snuck back here for a quick peek and spotted this post. I agree with other commentors here that however often you write, I will read. I'm here not for the quantity, but the quality. I don't get here enough these days; I wish I could, but when I do, it's like chocolate and rose. Huzzah!

It's difficult to pick a single post. I giggle, I tear up, I have been rendered speechless on occasion. However, the most memorable would have to be No Nadia. I told my kids about that one and, ma-yan, my son STILL goes on and on about black-and-blue-ball-smacker!! *sigh*

If I may murder the words of another famous storyteller, Write On Good Sir, Write On!

Back-To-Back Winner, 2009 & 2010 Best Literary Medical Weblog

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About Me

I am a father of three. I am an ER physician of 16 years. I am a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a nephew, and a friend, always. I am an athlete. I am small-town. I live in a big town. I am from a large, forestry family. I miss my mother's voice. I enjoy life's simpler, mundane moments. I am humbled daily. I am privileged with many blessings in my life. I am a writer.

Disclaimer

The events and encounters described in this blog are for general discussion and amusement only. They should be considered fiction. Nothing written here should be constituted as medical advice. Although the events of this blog contain certain elemental truths, every attempt has been made to protect patient confidentiality. Names, dates, location, and identifying features have been changed or fictionalized for that reason. The author reserves the right to embellish to make a good story great. All opinions expressed herein are those of the author only. All content is copyright of the author. Please do not reproduce or copy in part or whole without his expressed permission.